Stepladder



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Application filed January 23,1922. Serial N0. 531,117.

To czZl'whom zlt may concern." Beit known that T, Bnnsnro'r E/lVILLETT, a c1tizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county ol' li'lontgomery and State of Ohio have invented ,certain new and useful Improvements in. Stepladders, of which the following is a specificatiomret'erence being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to step ladders and.

the like and is in the nature or an improvement upon the structure shown in' the appllcation for patent filedbyme June 6, 1921, Serial No. 4755-999.

One objectof the invention is to-provide a structure of this kind which will-be simple in construction, of lightweight and of a strong rigid character. r v p A; further object of the invention is to provide such astructure having a platform or ample proportions, upon which the occupant may stand, and having-a guard. rail at each side oit said 'plattornu -said structure being vso constructed that it will fold into compact formwith theseveral parts'thereof extending approximately parallel one with the other. i

A further object of the invention is to pro-' taken on a line inst above the i'ilattorm of Fig. 'lqllipg; 5iis a sectional view taken through the platform with the movable portion of" the platform in its elevated position; liip 6 is a detail view of a portionoiythe rear lramc; 7 is a detail view of the pail retaining; device; and Fig.8 is a detail view of the yielilable stop on the worlr support. v

.In these drawings have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and have shown the same as comprising aktiontframe which, in the present instance, is provided with steps. This front frame is supported in an 2 is a similar view.

mental step or platform, as will be heroin upright position by .a rear frame of greater height than the front frameand the. front frame has its upper endspaced from the rear frameand isconnected to the rear frame by a suitable spacing device which willpermitgthe structure to'be collapsed, that is,

onetr'ame moved toward the other.

As here shown,.the front frame, consists of two upright members 1" which are preterably ofwood, and. are connected one to the other by transverse members Q'cOnst-ituting steps. These steps arepreferably rigidlv 1 secured at their endsto therespective upright members and in the present construc= tion sectionsv of angle iron '3 are rigidlysee cured to the respective side members and the steps are supported bysecuring themto these angle irons. The rear frame consists of two upright members 4' which are of a height considerably greater than the-height of the upright members 1 and are connected one to the other byI'transverse members'o, {i and 7, the member 7 being in the present instance constituting'a-Work sup aorting member, or

is in the'na-ture of a bar or metal rigidly secured at'its ends tothe respective upright members which are preferably ofiwood. This bar, and the adjacent portions of the upright members are bracedoneagainst the otherby brace bars 8 having their interme diate portions bent inwardly and secured to the bar 5 at points spaced ?Erom the respective sidemcmbers The upperand lower arranged at thetop of there'ar transcend platform. .The lower transverse memberfi ends o fzthe brace bars,8 are rigidlv'secured I to the respective side members above and below the bar 5; The transverse me'ngiberfi is also in the form oi: a bar of metal wh ch is braced against the side members by means 0t inclined brace bars 9 secured at I their upper ends to the respective side members and at their lower ends to the transverse bar 6 at points spaced from theends thereof. In this manner, not only are the bar 6 and the adjacent port-ions or: the side members -lbraced. one against theother, butthe bar is reinforced andfstrengthened so that it will form a firm support for the sup neafter described.

The frontframehas its upper end spaced i I from the rear frame andais connected to the rear frame by'suitable spacing devices'whlch prelferablv extend between the upper end of tln front frame and an in ermediate portion of the rear frame, here shown, the spacing members are in the form of toggles, each of which consists of a bar 10 pivotally connected at its rear end with the rear frame and having its front end supported by the front frame, the bar extending across the full space between the two frames. As here shown, the forward end of each bar 10 rests upon the upper end of the adjacent side member 1 of the front frame and is held againstlateral movement relatively thereto by a m tal plate 11 which is rigidly secured to the upper end of each frame member and projects slightly above the same. The forward end of the bar is not connected with,

the front frame but is movable toward and from thesame. The bars 10 are connected with the front fran'ie members by links, or bars, 12, pivotally connected at their rear ends with the respective bars lObetween the ends thereof and pivotally connected with the front frame, preferably by riveting, or otherwise securing, the bars 12 to the metal plates 11. Thisconstruction constitutes each spacing member a toggle, one member of which extends past its point of pivotal connection with the other member and is supported by one of the frame members. l Vhen the structure is in its extended position the several centers ofeach toggle will lie in the same plane and one member of the toggle being; supported at each end by the respective frame members it will be apparent that the toggle is very rigidly braced against downward movement and not only constitutes a rigid connection between the two frame members but is also of sufficient strength to constitute a support for a platform on which the occupant may stand. The spacing device is further reinforced by brace bars 13 arranged at the opposite sides of the structure and pivotally connected at their upper ends with the respective bars 10 and 11 ivotally connected at their lower ends with the respective side members 1 of the front frame at points some distance below the top thereof. c

The spacing devices also constitute :1 support for a platform and to this end I. prefer that the bars 10 should be in the form of angle .iron bars having: one flange extending imvardly from the lower edge thereof and forming support for the platform 14. This platform may be secured to the bars 10 in any suitable manner, but in the present instance I have shownthe same as comprising two parts, the forward portion of whichis rigidly and permanently secured to the bars 10' and the rearward portion of which is adapted to be supported in an elevated position to constitute a supplemental step to the ladder. To this end the rear portion of the platform, which is shown at 15. rests loosely upon the flanges of the barslOand is c0n= lylfln,

.niziy be supported on tin nrctcd therewith by means of links it; which are pivotally conn ."ted at their forward. ends to the bars 10 near the forward end of the movable section 1.5 of the platform and are pivotally connected at their rear ends to the edges of the platform section near the rear thereof. The platform section is preferably reinforced by angle irons 17 which afford a firm connection for the ends of the links. When the platform section 15 is in its normal position, in line with the section 1d of the platform, the links will lie between the edges thereof and the vertical flanges of the bars 10. By lifting the rear section, turning the same up-side-down, and moving the links 16 into vertical positions, the platform sections 15 may be connected with the t ansverse bar 6 of the rear frame by means of the hook shaped ends 18 of the angle bars 17, thus providing a supplemental step for the ladder. 1

Guard rails 19 are arranged on opposite sides of the platform and extend from the upper end of the rear frame to the upper end of the lower frame. These bars are piv- 'otally connected with the respective frame members and as here shown the upper ends thereof are connected with gusset plates 20 which brace the work supporting member 7 and the lower ends are pivotally connected with portions 21' of the'links 12 which extend forwardly beyond the points of connection of said links with the side members 1 of the front frame.

it will be apparentthat the structure may be folded by moving the rear frame upwal'dly and toward the front frame, this being; accomplished by elevating the forward edge of the platfor I thus breaking; the H of the spac device andm ovinf: the members one tow: "fl the other. This novement of the members causes the bars 10 and 3 the platform rarried thereby to assume a position alongside of the rear frame, in which position. it is hold bv the links 12 and the brace bars 13. The lmver ends of the guard rails 19 are carried downwardly one rcarwardly by the end portions ill of the links 12. so that those rails also extend lengthn" e of the frame members. thus enablin toe whole structure to be folded or collapsed into a compact form. l-Vhen collapsed the weig hl of the ladder nit frame and by placing; the uppe -"mid of the rear frame against a wall, or other structure. the ront f1 aine may be utilized s an ordinary ladder. f desirec, the rea 1": ...iers +3; which of compare member 7 and, as here shown, this device coun'n'ises a rod :33 slid-ably mounted in the member 7 and having a hook shaped upper end 24 adapted to engage over the edge of a pail, as shown at That portion of the bar below the member 'T'isguided in a vertical bearing 26 securet. to one of the upright members 4, and. a spring 27 confined between the member 7 and a stop 28 at the lower end of the rodv tends to hold the hook shaped end thereof in engagement with the pail and prevent the displacement of the latter. The

rod may be held against rotation in any suitable way, as by using a non-circular rod and opening. I also prefer to provide the member 7 with a stud, or projection, 29 extending slightly above the surface thereof to engage within the lower edge of the rim of the pail and prevent the slipping of the pail away from the rod. To permit a flat bottom pail to rest flat upon the supporting member the stud 29 is yieldable, it being preferably supported by spring 30 mounted in an opening in the member 7 I lVhile. l have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as variousv modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art. 7 v I Having now fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

- 1. In a structure of the character described, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front frame, said front frame being of less heightthan said rear frame and having its upper end spaced therefrom, and a spacing device so connected with said frames as to permit the rear frame to be moved upwardly and toward the front frame to collapse said structure.

2. In a I structure of the character described, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front frame, said front frame being of less height thansaid rear frame and havingits upper end spaced therefrom, a spacing device so connected. with said frames as to perniiit the rear frame to be moved up wardly andtoward the front frame to collapse said structure, and a platform pivotally connected with one of said frames to permit it to be moved into a position in which it will extend lengthwise of said frames when said, structure is collapsed.

3. in a structure of the character described, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front frame, said front frame being of less height than said rear frame and haw ing itsupper end spaced therefrom, a spacing device plvotally connected with said frames to permit the rear frame to be moved upwardly and towardthe front frame to collapse said structure, and a platform carried by said, spacing devlce and adapted to be moved into a position extending lengtl'iwise of said frame members when said structure is collapsed.

4. In a structure of the character described, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front frame, said front frame being of a less height than said rear frame and having its upper end spaced therefrom,

and a spacing devlce comprising toggles, each having one member plvotally connected with said front frame, at the upper end thereof and having its other member pivotally connected with said rear frame at a point spaced from the upper end thereof, and a platform carried by said spacing dev1ce.

5. In a structure of the character described, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front frame, said front frame being, of a less height than said rear frame andhaving its upper end spaced therefrom, a spaclng device COIIlPIlSlDg, toggles, each having one member pivotally connected with said front frame and having its other member plvotally connected with said rear frame, one member of eachtoggleextending beyond its pivotal connection with the other member of that toggle, and being supported by one of said frames and a platformcarried by said spacing, device.

. 6. In a structure of the character descrlbed, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front frame, said front frame beingof a less height than said rear frame and having lts upper end spaced therefrom, a spacing device comprising toggles each having one member pivotally connected.

with said front frame and having its other member; pivot-ally connected with said rear frame,and brace bars each pivotally connected at one end with one'member of one,

of said toggles and pivotally connected at its other end with one of said frames'at a point below said toggle.

7.111 a structure of the character described, a front frame, a rear frameto support said front frame, said front frame being of less height than said rear frame and having its upper end spaced therefrom, a platform supporting device extending between the upper end of the front frame and tween the upper one to the other and having their opposite ends pivotally connected with the respec tive frames, one member of each part of said platform supporting; device having a portion to engage one of said frame members to limit the downward movement of the intermediate portions of said parts.

9. in a structure of the character described, a frontframe, a rear frame to support said front frame, said front frame being of less height than said rear frame and having its upper end spaced therefrom, a platform supporting device extending between the upper end of the front frame and an in'tern'iediate portion of the rear frame,

and comprising two parts each of which comprises two members pivotally connectet one to the other and having their opposite ends pivotally connected with the respec tive frames, brace bars each pivotally connected with one member of one part of said supporting device and pivotaliy connected at its other end ,with one of said frame members at a point beiow said supporting device. i

10. In a structure of the character described, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front frame, said front frame having its upper end spaced from said rear frame, bars pivotally connected at their rear ends to the respective sides of saidrear frame and having their forward ends supported by said front frame, other bars pivotally connected with the respective first mentioned bars at points between said frames and pivotally connected with said front frame, said bars constituting the sole means for controlling the relative positions of said frames. I

1.1.In a structure of'the character described, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front frame, said front frame having its upper end spaced from said rear frame, bars pivotally connected at their rear ends to the respective sides of frame and having their forward ends ported by said front frame, othc bars otally connected with the respective mentioned bars at points bot e frames, and pivotallv connect-9d with front frame, and a platforn'i carried by first mentioned bars and arranged said frames.

12. In a structure of the scribed, a front frame, a rear fl; ME to support said front frame, raid front frame being' of less height than said rear frame and having its upper end spaced therefrom, a. spacing device so connected with said frames as to permit the rear frame to be moved up wardly and toward the'front frame-to col pi first sa id sa i d h etwee 11 t d rear s i p-- said lapse said structure. and guard rails arrzniged at the respective sides of said struct re and pivotally connected with the upper portions of aid front and rear frames.

13. In a structure of the character described, a front frame, a rear frame to sup port said front frame, said front frame being of a less height than said rear frame and having its upper end spaced therefrom, a spacing device comprising; toggles each having one member pivotally connectedwith said front frame and having its other member pivotally connected with said rear frame, and brace bars each pivotaliy connected at one en d with one member of one of said toggles and pivot-ally connected at its other end h one of said frames at a point below said toggle, and guard rails arranged at therespective sides of said structure and pivotaliy connected with the upper portions of said fron" and rear rrames.

14:; In a structure of the character dc scribed, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front frame, said front frame being of less height than said rear frame and having its upper end spaced therefrom, a piatfcrm supporting device extending between the upper end of the front frame and an intermediate portion of the rear frame, and cmnprising two parts, each of which comprises two members pivotally connected one to the other and having their opposite ends pivotally connected with the respective frames, and means to support the intermediate portions of said parts against downward movement, and guard rails arranged at the respective sides of said structure and pivotall' connected with the upper port-kins of said frontand rear frames.

15. in a structure of the character described, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front frame, said front frame having its upper end spaced from zine, bars pivot-ally connected at -nds to the respective sides of said rear rame and having their forward ends sup aortcdby said front frame, other bars pivo- Jaily connected with the respective first menioned bars at points between said frames and pivotally connected with said front frame, and having: parts extendin 'l'oi warih beyond their axes, and guard rails arranged at the respective sides of said structure, Hivotali v connected at their upper ends to said rear fran'le and pivctaily connected at their lower ends to the forwardly (F-Ithiitiing' parts of the last mentioned bars.

16. In a structure of the character described, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front frame, aid front frame being: of less height than said rear frame and having its upper end spaced therefroimi iars ertending between said front frame and the upper end of said rear frame, having their ends pivotally connected with said rear their rear s11 id rear frame,'and having their front ends supported by said front frame, links each pivotally connected at one end to one of said bars between the ends thereof and pivotally connected at its other end with said front frame, a platform supported by said bars, and guard rails arrangedon the opposite sides of said platform and each pivotally connected at one end with the upper end of said rear frame and pivotally connected at its lower end with the upper end of said front frame.

17. In a structure of the character described, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front. frame, said front framebeing of less heightthan said rear frame and having its upper end spaced therefrom, bars extending between said front frame and the upper end of said rear frame, having their rear ends pivotally connected with said rear frame and having their front ends supported by said front frame, links each pivotally connected at one end to one of said bars between the ends thereof and pivotally connected at its other end with said front frame, each of said links having a part extending forwardly beyond its'point of connection with said front frame, a platform carried by said bars, and guard rails pivotally connected at theirupper ends with the upper portion of said rear frame and pivotally connected at their lower ends with the forwardly extending portions of the respective links.

18. In a structure of the character described, a front frame, a rear frame to support said front frame, said front frame having its upper end spaced from said rear frame, angle'bars extending. between said frames and each having a flange extending inwardly from the lower edge thereof, each of said angle bars being pivotally connected at its rear end with the rear frame and be-1 ing supported at its'front end on said front frame, links extending parallel with said angle bars, pivotally connected-at their rear ends with the respective bars, and pivotally connected at their forward ends with said front frame, a platform supported by the inwardly extending flanges of said bars, and brace bars pivotally connected with port said front frame, said front frame being of less height than said rear frame and having its upper end spaced therefrom, means for spacing said frames one from the other, a work supportingmember carried at its extreme upper end by said rear frame, a rod mounted for vertical movementadjacent to said worksupporting member and having a hook shaped upper end, and a spring acting on said rod to move the same downwardly.

20. In a step ladder or the like, a work supporting member, a retaining. member having a part adapted to engage over the edge of a pail or the like, and a spring tending to move said retaining member toward said work supporting member and a yieldable' projection carried by and extending above said work supporting member adjacent to said retaining member.

21. In a step ladder or the like having a work supporting member provided with a fiat upper surface, a rod mounted on said ladder below said work supporting member for vertical reciprocator-y movement relatively to said work supporting member and having a hook shaped upper end extending above said work supporting member to engage a receptacle supported by said work supporting member, and a spring acting on said rod to move the same downwardly.

22. In a step ladder or the like having a work supporting member, a rod mounted for vertical reciprocatory movement relatively to said work supporting member and having a hook shaped upper end, a spring acting on said rod to move the same down- ,wardly, and a yieldable stud mounted on said work supporting men'iber adjacent to said rod.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signa ture hereto.

BENEDICT E. WILLETT. 

